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Volunteers can choose to clean up the area around their offices, find other areas that need attention or join community groups and the Thames Water team down by the river.

Thames Water has sponsored the Reading RESCUE event for the last nine years.

RESCUE clean-up at Caversham Lock with Thames Water volunteers in 2014

Neeti Bindra, community investment coordinator for Thames Water, said: "Reading RESCUE is a great community event which brings people together to make a difference to our neighbourhoods, green spaces and waterways.

"We’re inviting everyone to roll up their sleeves and join us to fill as many bags of rubbish as they can at the weekend.

"As a major employer in Reading it’s important to us to look after our surroundings and the environment and do our bit to make it a great town to live and work in."

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Last year, 205 volunteers took part, including teams from Thames Water, Kyocera Document Solutions and Hilton Reading - and a total of 2.75 tonnes of litter was collected.

Ricky Josey, who co-ordinates the RESCUE steering group, said: "Started in 1989 by a group of committed and concerned canal users from West Berkshire and Reading, the Rivers & Environmental Spaces Clean Up Event (RESCUE) has changed tremendously over the years.

"It has grown to include business sponsorship, urban areas and now involves schools, uniform groups, individuals, faith groups, companies and community groups across Reading."

If you'd like to take part for a few hours, a half day or a full day, please contact Kirsti Wilson at Connect Reading to register: kirsti.wilson@connectreading.co.uk

The deadline for registration is Monday, February 20 and equipment is provided.